This is true in business. Sports. Government. Our homes. It is true in life’s tasks. My Franklin planner teaches priorities. You list all your tasks for the day and rank them in order of importance. Then begin with the most important.

It is also true in Christianity. While everything is important, there are some fundamentals that must rank with greater importance. James Montgomery Boice expressed it this way.

”It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Christ’s Cross. For whether we are thinking about the necessity of the Cross, the meaning of the Cross, the preaching of the Cross, the offense of the Cross, or the way of the Cross – however, we may think about it – in every case what we are saying, and must be saying, is that the Cross is central to Christianity. Indeed, we are saying more. We are saying that without the Cross of Jesus Christ there is no true Christianity at all.” –- Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace, p. 89

In preaching the gospel to the Corinthians Paul reminded them of its basis. The fundamentals. What he preached first. Of that which was of greater importance.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1Cor 15:1-4)

Today is Friday. You may get your paycheck. That’s important! You may be going out to eat. Or see a movie. Or attend a concert. Or go to a baseball game. Those will be fun! Or there may be work to begin around your house or yard. Those are needful! But something is more important. The cross!

John Wooden, the late, legendary basketball coach for UCLA always kept a cross in his pocket. When asked why, he responded, “To remind me that there is something more important than basketball.”

Picture those on that Friday ….“those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” (Mk. 15:29) I imagine that some of them had important things on their minds. Things to do before the Sabbath began. Preparations to make. Places to go. Little did they know that everything was about to change on Sunday! What they thought was pretty important, really wasn’t.

Remember when you attend worship on Sunday that the cross is more important than politics, business or education. The cross is more important than your career, your net worth or your health. The cross is more important than relationships. The cross is more important than opinions. The cross is more important than our national security.

The cross is even more important than your very life! Why? Because the cross has to do with the security of the soul, our spiritual possessions, and our eternal salvation. With all that is going on in the world, don’t forget the cross is the most important thing in life. Carry it with you. If not literally in your pocket, spiritually in your heart.

Ken, Since becoming a Christian, I learned we are not to use symbolisms. Wherever I’ve worshipped, symbolisms are not even worn on jewelry. That is why in one of my previous blogs, I made mention that, as a Catholic in my younger years, the giant symbolisms of Jesus hanging on the cross didn’t teach me the true connection of my spirit with my God. I well understand now that the Word is my connection, prayer is my connection, not a mere symbolism. Once a preacher said to me, “You wouldn’t wear a guillotine…a symbol of death…would you?” I’ve even been in congregations where they would not sing “The Old Rugged Cross” in order to stay away from symbolism. I understand in my heart the meaning of the cross. I prefer to say Jesus is central to Christianity. Just replace the name of Jesus for every entry that says ‘the cross’ above in your blog. In Christian love, Sandra Jo

Sandra Jo . Thanks for commenting. I understand your point. I’ve ever that stated before. But the cross is mentioned 31 times in the NT Paul said, Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. NKJV Granted some may engage in an idolatrous image, but I don’t think that negates using the exact symbolism the Bible uses! As far as people wearing them as jewelry, I am content to let “everyone be persuaded on his (or her) on mind. Again thanks for reading. And commenting Ken

amen! as lori just said. I feel so sad that some even when they sing The Old Rugged Cross feel they are singing about the wood. They need to let go and feel the freedom in Christ Jesus. Then you will never even think of worshiping the wood. We know who was on that cross and what it meant to all of us. Thanks Ken for reminding us.